The polling process of the recent elections to the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly got over in all the 59 constituencies that went to the polls on Feb. 27, except for re-polling in some polling stations where there were irregularities and faulty voting machines.
What remains however is the cycle of violence across Nagaland that fails to end; the scale is quite high in some of the constituencies. Within a day the vote-counting starts, the final account of the success of the Clean Election campaign will then be known. While some of the supporters of candidates who are sure to lose are just being poor sport, those who are sure to win are displaying their newly acquired power.
In all the cases the victims will probably be a minority even though from a same village—likely someone who doesn’t have a big family. In most cases what start from the use of force by supporters of candidates is usually never successful as there always will be some supporters for their opponents who will not easily give in to force. There also will be cases of double agents and deals only to be detected after the polls and the counting to it.
All these indicate that in Nagaland—especially among some of the tribes—elections are not about a process to choose the best to lead, govern, or to serve the people. Elections have become a sign of prestige and honour along with a sign of security for the candidates’ family and village.
In spite of constant talk about electing competent lawmakers who have integrity and accountability, the whole population instead get together in the one big circus for any other reason but good leaders. Elections for many tribes is akin to traditional feasts of merit that earn prestige and honour for the giver. For many Naga tribes elections are like taking a head in war. Elections have become idols to be revered and fought for even through the use of violence and murder.
It is time to question what happened to the 150 years of Christianity in the land. Has the Christian religious institution failed the people or have the people failed the institution? Isolated cases of violence and malpractices might be deemed acceptable by some sections, but elections in Nagaland always have concoctions of suspicion and animosity on a mass scale.
The many years of exposure to modern education also have not remedied strong sentiments that the Naga people attach to elections. Heads will continue to be taken both literally and morally unless there is a relook.
